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$2K worth of beehives stolen from man who owns honey farm, market

Authorities are investigating after a beekeeper said more than $2,000 worth of beehives were stolen from his Washington County home Wednesday.

According to police, the Mark Bedillion owns a honey farm and market in Hickory filled with locally grown produce and honey he’s been making since 2005.

“They took seven hives, the front seven. They took the easiest ones to get,” Bedillion said.

According to Bedillion, the hives were stolen from another of his properties in East Finley Township.

Neighbors told police they saw four men flee with the hives in a black pickup truck.

Bedillion told Channel 11’s Cara Sapida that he thinks the thief was another keeper because a normal person wouldn’t have been able to remove them without getting stung.

“They would have gotten stung a lot if they weren’t experienced,” Bedillion said. “They might be in the hospital by now.”

Bedillion said he reported the theft to police but doesn’t think his beehives will be hitting the market anytime soon.

“My family and I work hard at this. It’s a lot of time and a lot of money. It’s a weird feeling to have something taken from you,” Bedillion said. “Beekeeping in general is becoming more popular, and with more people keeping, honey is valuable. People want local honey.”